Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions: # 1

The Foundation of a God-Centered Life

Jonathan Edwards was only nineteen years old when he began writing his famous resolutions in the fall of 1722. He had recently arrived in New York City to begin pastoral ministry, facing uncertainty and the weight of adult responsibilities. In that season of transition, he sought to establish a clear direction for his life. The result was a set of seventy personal commitments, reviewed weekly, designed to guide his thoughts, words, and actions.


The very first resolution stands as the foundation for all the rest: Resolution 1

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

In essence, Edwards resolved to make every decision—throughout his entire life—on the basis of what would most honor God, bring genuine benefit to himself, and serve the good of others. He refused to weigh short-term convenience against long-term consequences; instead, he viewed every choice through the lens of eternity and God's ultimate purposes.This commitment reflects a central conviction in Reformed theology: our highest purpose is to glorify God. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism states, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." Edwards understood that God's glory and our true well-being are not in conflict. The deepest satisfaction and lasting good come from living in alignment with God's will.He also linked personal good with the welfare of others. His resolution is not self-centered; it calls for actions that promote the advantage of humanity in general. This outward focus flows naturally from a heart oriented toward God's glory.Applying Resolution 1 TodayIn daily life, this resolution invites us to pause before important decisions and ask:
• What course of action would most honour God in this situation?
• How does it align with my long-term spiritual good and the good of those around me?
• Am I willing to accept difficulties for the sake of what is eternally worthwhile?
Edwards expected challenges and resolved to persevere through them. He knew obedience often involves cost, but he trusted that God's grace would sustain him. As he noted in his preamble to the resolutions, he depended entirely on divine help: "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions..."Practical Steps Forward
• Begin each day by seeking God's guidance for decisions that lie ahead.
• When facing a choice, consider its eternal weight rather than only immediate outcomes.
• Remember that true good—for yourself and others—flows from God's glory as the guiding principle.
• Review commitments regularly, as Edwards did weekly, to maintain focus and accountability.
Resolution 1 is not about rigid perfectionism but about wholehearted devotion. It sets a single, unifying direction: to live for the glory of God above all else.What aspect of this resolution resonates with you most?
How might it shape a decision you are facing?
Feel free to share in the comments or on X (
@kateyakli
) @ Rooted Africa on Facebook.We will continue tomorrow with Resolution 2.
References for Further Reading
• The full text of Edwards' Resolutions: https://www.jonathan-edwards.org/Resolutions.html
• "The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards" (Desiring God): https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards
• "The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards" by Stephen Nichols (Ligonier Ministries): https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/resolutions-jonathan-edwards-edwards